The NBLP provides students with a unique professional opportunity to work with Columbia Business School alumni who are actively serving on nonprofit boards.

Community Profile

“This program is a wonderful way for business people to give back. Students place focus on important topics that the organization may not have the time or resources to address. For us, the project resulted in a formalized board evaluation process, which was embraced by the board and has now been implemented.”— Joyce Roche ’72 Former President, Girls Inc.

Operating under a mentorship structure, the program exposes students to the inner dynamics of successful nonprofit boards and helps prepare them for future board participation. The role of alumni in this program strengthens the connection between the business school and its ever-growing network of successful leaders in New York while also providing a resource for alumni and nonprofit boards to use to increase their effectiveness. The program runs over the course of a single academic year, serving approximately 30 alumni and students annually. To find out more information, please click here.

Structure

Following a rigorous selection process, students are matched with an alumnus mentor and gain first hand exposure to the nonprofit’s activities through three distinct exercises:

Students attend two to three Board of Directors meetings as an observer and aid the alumnus board member;

Students complete an independent research project in coordination with the alumnus, the executive director, and/or key staff members of the nonprofit, and;

Students attend two to three volunteer functions or other relevant events hosted by the nonprofit to gain a holistic understanding of the nonprofit’s operations.

Timeline

August – September

Students are matched with alumnus mentors

Students complete orientation at Columbia Business School;

Students scope projects with alumnus.

October – March

Students attend volunteer event(s) to gain an understanding of the organization;

Students attend board and/or sub-committee meetings with alumnus;

Students work to complete research project in coordination with alumnus.

March – April

Students complete project with alumnus and present findings to Executive Director / Board as appropriate;

Closing reception.

For more information, please contact Sandi Wright at sw2049@columbia.edu or by phone: (212) 854-8063.